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“I’m kind of sick of the chaos,” said Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a key extremist and firebrand who opposes the funding deal. “I came here to be serious about solving problems, not to produce clickbait.”

Wait, what???

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'Sick of the chaos,' says the number 2 agent of chaos. Have psychiatrists talked through a diagnosis for her? Because she doesn't function in any normal or healthy way.

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I just wished MTG would get on her broom and fly away to her home in hell. A while back, she was accused of having extra-marital affairs while she was married. What guy would be so hard up to actually have an affair with such a loud mouthed hag like her? Her hateful and arrogant behavior amplifies her already ugly appearance to the extreme.

My criticism and insults about her got me banned from the Daily KOS site 4 years ago. And that site is supposedly a Democratic site. Her behavior is that of a person that is preoccupied with revenge, hate, and contempt just like her GOD and savior Donald TUMP. She must be sick of herself, when she said she is sick of the chaos because she the front and center of chaos in Fascist GQP Congress. She is most certainly not a normal person, or whatever she is. I have referred to her as, ''Alice the Goon'' in the past. She is a horrible insult to the good women in the world as Donald TUMP is a horrible insult to men. Freaks of nature could be used to describe DJT and MTG.

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John, I share your anger and disgust and agree with a lot of what you say - but you're mixing your criticism with a lot of ad hominems. Most admins will ban users who lean on insults more than reasoned arguments. But it's REALLY hard in cases like these outrageous narcissists. I honestly think MTG has some serious mental disorder or illness and I'm going to do some research when I have more time.

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Yes, she does have some serious mental disorder, or something wrong with her that causes her to act out like she does. Yes, it is hard to contain my anger toward these people because of their narcissism and childish behavior in their efforts to destroy our way of life. Same goes for DJT. The thing that outraged me the most was MTG showing the pictures of Hunter Biden naked. That was totally unacceptable.

I might ask, how are they accusing Hunter Biden of contempt of Congress when he isn't a Federal Government member of Congress?? The insanity of these people just seems to get worse over time.

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John, your contempt for MTG is probably shared by all of us here. But statements like “What guy would be so hard up to actually have an affair with such a loud mouthed hag like her?” imply she isn’t the picture of submissive femininity Mike Johnson and others revere. In other words, focus on her behavior, not stereotypes, in your criticism.

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ML, I noticed that too and while I can't stand her and as a woman am especially disgusted by her behavior, I was bothered by John's comment about why men might not choose a woman as a partner.

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She cannot help parts of her physical appearance, face shape, skin tone, etc. which are hereditary. She could scowl less, which would help, but she has probably been called ugly since childhood and suffers.

Her behavior is a different matter. My mom always said, “Pretty is as pretty does.” So, on that score my mom would say she was “acting ugly.”

Men who are unattractive are not so often humiliated with any male equivalent of “hag.” Still, I can’t abide a person like her.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

I agree with John wondering what man would want such a loud-mouthed hag like MTG. The same way I wonder what woman would want the loud-mouthed hag we know as Donald Trump.

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Good point.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

You don’t have to be a member of congress to be in Contempt. However, Hunter Biden is not in contempt. As Jared Moskowitz pointed out, he was offered the option to appear in public, but when he accepted that option. . . Oops! Suddenly the rules changed!

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From The Hill: “Last fall, Chairman Comer made an explicit offer that people like Hunter had, like him, the option to attend a deposition or a public hearing, whichever they chose. Hunter chose a hearing where Republicans could not distort, manipulate, or misuse that testimony,”

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Thanks for the reminder!

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Additionally, look at the number of Republicans (elected) who refused to obey the Jan. 6 committee’s subpoenas! It’s a case of extremely political hypocrisy!

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And the ploy where they want him to testify in secret - whoa! The only instance where that should be allowed is when the witness is testifying as to classified information, not about a case where it was already investigated for 2 years. This isn't a contempt case, it's harassment of a private citizen.

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deletedJan 11
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Ooops! That quote should be attributed to Geraldo, not HCR!

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

Like I say about Trump, MTG, et al. They are a symptom of a deeper problem.

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The problem is that her district is so heavily red that it's extremely difficult to vote her out.

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She is not alone having (a severe) mental disorder in the house.

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There are people with personality disorders running around all over the place. And sometimes they get elected. Nothing special.

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Everyone's taste is different, I guess. If she were a decent human being I'd consider her an attractive woman. The attacks on her appearance just don't make sense to me. It would be different if she were using similar ad hominems against her opponents in stead of calling them Communists.

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Actually, research into her head may be a waste of time. Check out her background, particularly close relatives.

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She must be up for re-election...

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I heard she’s considering running for the U.S. Senate in Ga. Now, that’s really scary!

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OMG! That would be awful BUT then she would have to run to the entire state, not just constituents in a rural area!

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Every two years, just like the rest of them.

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Yes. I know.

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Please do, Alexandra! I agree with you.

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If anyone deserves ad hominems, it's MTG.

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I do not hold with MTG's behavior, but I also have observed that her education is sorely inadequate. If you recall her court appearance when she was accused of violating the 14th Section 3, she constantly looked to Matt Gaetz to see how she should respond. Did you notice her facial expression the other day when Mike Johnson was responding to the press in the hall? She's there to gather information and report to someone else. Did she bring the Intel that determined when McCarthy should be tossed? Trump guides her every step while literally ignoring her in public. IMHO. Trump's molls in Congress fall into two categories of sycophant, the educated, Stefanic and Mace and the mean girls, MTG and Boebert, all of which believe they can ascend to power under a misogynist. I think their fate will be more in line with the unfortunate Ivana Trump, buried in a grave on a golf course.

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Interesting observation about the educated and uneducated sycophants. To piggy back on that, the uneducated have engaged in their MAGA look-at-me-look-at-me thrall from the get-go by which they got elected by the equally uneducated. My fascination lies with Stefanic and Mace who did a bait and switch with their voters--both started out as reasonable Republicans with seeming integrity and principles, whose brush with power has had an aggressive drug-like effect on them and they morphed into monster MAGA guard dogs. It's hard to digest....

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Yes, I recall Stefanik, during her first congressional campaign, telling voters in her district that she'd work across the aisles, yada yada yada. Her predecessor at the time was a Democrat. My, how she has changed. "Bait and switch" is exactly right.

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Agree with you! Trump expects loyalty, but has none himself to anyone! The desire for power blinds those you mention!

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She’s not smart enough to be a witch.

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John, criticizing MTG's views or actions is perfectly appropriate. Using misogynistic tropes such as witch references and loud-mouthed hag, and calling her ugly, shouldn't be part of it. We shouldn't sound like *them*.

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Perhaps you could criticize MTG without sexualizing her?

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Quit the name-calling; you sound like an immature Republican, not a 67-year old adult.

It obscures whatever point you are making, and plays nicely into MTG's strategy of chaos.

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She is trying to appear to be rational. And of course, saying what she did is “click bait.”

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That's funny Lynn. MTG IS Clickbait!

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While I certainly find much to criticize about MTG, I don't care for the misogynistic comments. Many of us identify as witches in one way or another and are mindful about the history of the burning times, when women were murdered in public. It is painful to read the way you have framed your criticism.

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Share your disgust. However, I object to your insults on the grounds that they serve to diminish the full impact of what you are saying.

Yes, her face is not well-proportioned to my eye, and her voice grates on my ear. But I've had lovely intimate experiences with people who might be called homely.

MTG is a bombast, a liar, and a hypocrite. She is, by word and action, a contemptible betrayer of solemn oaths, branding her unworthy of trust. These are not insults or matters of opinion. They are plain facts. To possess the fairest face in the land would not cure these faults.

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Well said, when i am disgusted with a person like her, i tend to go overboard and let my temper do the talking way too much. Your description of her is well said and much more civil.

I have also had lovely intimate experiences with people that might be called homely. I actually see a person that is homely when i look in the mirror, especially at my age now. I cringe when i look at photos of me when i was younger and not nearly as homely as i am now..

The main thing about MTG is mainly her behavior and her actions which are unbecoming of a House of Representatives member, but she sure isn't the only one in the House with a bad temper and unreasonable behavior, there are both male and female members that want to make life miserable to everyone that disagrees with their extremist ideas for our government.

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All fascists in history have had devoted followers. The scary thing is that these devoted people are extremely well armed. 🖖

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Dale, they are not the only ones "well armed" ;-)

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I don’t think any man could fall romantically in love with MTG. Her affair was with a Tantric sex coach right? Was she paying him fees? That’s a Gigalo for Marg right? So I quess she has a lot in common with Matt Gaetz!

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I agree with you about how the daily kos seems to police certain posts, especially ones about repub women. I used to support that site years ago but stopped when one of my comments was flagged for calling a repub woman a bitch for the way she spoke about LGBTQ people. I don't read much from them anymore due to the word police.

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"Alice the Goon"! LOL

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Hello Alexandra. I’m in the psychiatry business. Here is what I see: she is a poser for #45. The similarity she and Bobert share with him is a lack of knowledge or interest in learning. Both women like T are histrionic. No insight. They are like 2 daughters of a narcissist and sociopath father who want him to like them, to pay attention to them so they have worth. Without that approval they are nothing. My opinion…

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In the same business. Agree. And our treatments (beyond "divorce her") are inadequate.

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Or nonexistent!

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Definitely their governing for Trump.

No one else.

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ha ha ha !! omg !

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In other news, Biden is facing both international condemnation and legal action for complicity in Israel's genocide in Gaza:

https://theintercept.com/2024/01/10/biden-israel-genocide-lawsuit/

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Please do not confuse Israel with the Netanyahu regime.

(Just as we would not equate Palestine with Hamas, or the USA with the Trump regime.)

Netanyahu will drag out the war to suppress criticism by Israelis (who are still in the streets protesting his regime) and to put Biden between the Americans who cry antisemitism at any criticism of Israeli policy and those who cry genocide at any support for Israel. Netanyahu is hoping to help reelect Trump who gave him full support for his worst abuses.

American friends of Israel and Palestine should unite behind Biden and push his administration for more public support for a ceasefire and for sovereign geographically autonomous Israeli and Palestinian states. Both of which Blinken is working on.

Protest is necessary, but diplomacy is essential. Historically, Democratic presidents - Carter, Clinton, Obama, Biden - have been more fair than Republican presidents.

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Well said

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

Please do not confuse complicity in genocide with diplomacy.

Protest is essential when diplomacy is a sham.

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Protest against injustice is always necessary. But it is not sufficient. Whether nationally as protest in addition to voting or internationally as protest in addition to diplomacy.

Ultimately justice has to be legislated and signed into law as mutually agreed frameworks, in order to be enforced relatively peacefully. This is accomplished at the negotiating table, not in the streets.

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You don’t get to the negotiating table without the streets.

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I have to respectfully disagree. The modern state of Israel was founded on an extended terrorist atrocity known as the Nakba. Netanyahu is just more of the same.

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You give the reading of many Palestinians. And of many antiZionists. It is not the only reading. As in the Netanyahu administration's response to the Hamas atrocities of Oct 7, one can choose to be apologists for endless reactionary reflexive violence with an endgame of mutual destruction. Or one can call for a ceasefire and for diplomatic solutions. Perhaps not as cathartic or immediately gratifying as indulging in unmitigated violence, but ultimately this ends at the negotiating table. Better to have fewer bodies to climb over - no matter how useful high body counts may be for propaganda

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lin,

There is more than one reading of the Nzai Holocaust, too.

Way back in 1923, the Zionist leader Vladimir Jabotinski said the quiet part out loud in "The Iron Wall" when he compared the Palestinians to the American Indians:

They will never give up their land; they will fight. But "our cause is good," which justifies the unpleasant things we have to do to make the Palestinians disappear.

Beyond that, the Palestinians descend from Jews who converted to Islam, and also from the Idumeans (Edomites, sons of Esau the elder brother of Jacob) who fought side-by-side with the Hebrews against the Romans when the Temple of Herod (himself an Idumean/Palestinian) was destroyed.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

Enough with the apologist to reflexive violence crap unless you own your own apologist role for faux diplomacy as a cover to genocide.

https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/tony-blinken-is-a-cold-blooded-sociopath

“Blinken is always doing sociopathic stuff like this. Late last month he tweeted, “This has been an extraordinarily dangerous year for press around the world. Many killed, many more wounded, hundreds detained, attacked, threatened, injured — simply for doing their jobs. I am profoundly grateful to the press for getting accurate, timely information to people.”

I mean, can you believe the gall of this freak? As though his own administration wasn’t responsible for most of those killings. As though Israel has not spent the last three months directing wildly disproportionate firepower at the places it knows journalists are hiding.

He’s standing there on top of a pile of corpses while mournfully shaking his head about their tragic unfortunate deaths.”

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p.s. There have survived, through the centuries, one ancient Hebrew royal demon and one ancient Hebrew temple demon. Their stories are here:

https://earthwarning.org/index.php/here-be-demons/

Two quotes:

"Ancient Demon was present at the crucifixion of Jesus, because there was no way for a demon who was charged with protection of the royal family to not be present...."

"Asmodiel decided to use its knowledge to start a new organization. This organization was the beginning of freemasonry in Italy. (This was about the 7th century A.D.) Asmodiel was interested in working with humans who wanted to learn about Hebrew culture, but didn’t want to be part of the Hebrew religion. This became Asmodiel’s specialty...."

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I agree. However, it is difficult for me to focus on anything while the mass killings continue. Is Biden powerless?

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No one official or official body, not even POTUS, and not even the UN, can stop in their tracks combatants bent on total destruction. Enough people have to agree that blood running through the streets is entirely wrong.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

So our hearts are breaking while our taxes are paying for it.

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Netanyahu deliberately built up an opponent (Hamas) bent on Israel’s total destruction so... so he could totally destroy them?

https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/

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I think you think that the USA has complete power over other sovereign states. It’s just not true.

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Please help me understand this. Netanyahu and his administration and Hamas(probably Iran and Russia..and who knows who else) are responsible for the genocide as they have been for years. Having said that, Netanyahu does not reflect all of Israel or that of all semetic populations.

From what I have seen....Biden and Blinken and other negotiators have been pushing Israel to withdraw....to take a humanitarian approach that will not result in civilian and hostage death. Does everyone here think the US needs to invade Israel to stop what they are doing? To cut off decades of military support that occured decades before Biden and resulted in Palestinian oppression, death, and disappearances?

I think these accusations of Biden and his administration are what always happens. Decades of policy that lead up to this horrific outcome and the administration in charge is blamed for another country's actions.

To me....Hamas and Netanyahu are responsible for the genocide. They are responsible for exploiting innocent civilians who want nothing more than to live in peace. I think, expecting the US to turn policy on a dime and stop the Israeli invasion is Colonial thinking.

Please tell me what am I missing here?

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The administration in charge is part of a continuing Establishment policy of turning a blind eye to lawless Israel’s continuing violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and its oppression of the inhabitants of the illegally occupied territories.

Biden is more "Establishment" than any previous president since George H.W. Bush.

Perhaps it is well to remember that Israeli settler extremists in the West Bank are terrorists, and therefore Israel, funding the settlers and giving them guns, is a state sponsor of terrorism.

See “France Calls West Bank Israeli Settler Violence a ‘Policy of Terror’”

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/france-calls-west-bank-israeli-settler-violence-policy-terror-2023-11-16/

and

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-gaza-west-bank-settler-violence-palestinians-rcna123311

and "The Rise of Settler Terrorism" (published in Foreign Affairs)

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41720862

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She is supported for her comments, so she will continue to speak idiocies, until she’s voted out. Then she’ll get a position with far right media. 🖖

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How about going after MTG and 'impeaching' her? What a foul mouthpiece for the GOP, what a completely useless, self-important brat! Why is she constantly in the limelight, like her idol 'tfg'? Is there absolutely no Representative that has no dirt on the shirt who is able and willing to have rational discussions and negotiations with the Dems to finally get something useful DONE?

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We just must vote them out! I have friends that live in MTGs district and they are embarrassed.

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I understand.I was born in Marietta, worked in Milledgeville where she was born.She is a disgrace. Hope Georgians can vote her out.

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Being embarrassed is not enough. VOTE HER OUT.

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GeorgiaGirl’s friends are outnumbered, 2 to 1, in Greene’s district by people who will continue to vote for Greene, or someone even worse. No attempt to vote her out can succeed.

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They need to get behind her opponent. He may not be ruthless enough to counter her shenanigans. I drive through N GA. The yard signs are MTG at her worst.

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I don’t think there are enough of them, sadly

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As well they should be. She reflects on them.

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As they should be!!

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Marli, it must be evident by now that the Repubs WANT to get NOTHING done while Biden is president so they can point to the failure of his administration to accomplish its goals for the American people. It apparently doesn't occur to them that they display their own incompetence in governing in any rational kind of way.

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They are not incompetent. They are willfully nefarious. They have a plan, are executing it effectively and with great enthusiasm, and are within a toss-up of succeeding. Even if, by some miracle, they don’t quite succeed this year, America will still be saddled with upwards of 74 million voters whose desires will be difficult if not impossible to overcome. It’s going to be all hands on deck for the foreseeable future… unless they install the white Christian fascist government they seek, in which case our prospects will be even grimmer.

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That they are incompetent was our last glimmer of wishful thinking. That they are very competent and effectively working their plan is much more disturbing. That there are 74 million Americans behind them raises the very real possibility that our society has gotten so poorly educated and polarized that we are no longer capable of self-governance.

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When one mixes their coke and steroids with a cocktail chaser you get MTG.

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Actually, that mix does cause a type of serotonin syndrome or effects. Which could explain the Magate crazed violence across the country. Add a Sackller Family narcotic and an antidepressant to the mix, and you've got an insurrection.

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Quite a cocktail!

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I was a drug and alcohol counselor for years. Her behavior matches her consumption of chemicals. She's textbook.

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Anticipate those shallows -impeachments to cascade (successfully) of the Magots once the landslide of BLUE 11/24, it’s overdue ..clean up that ‘chaos’! Many will cry they were hostage , believe them not !

🙏💙💙VOTE ALL THE COMPLICIT OUT💙💙

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Apparently not.

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America’s response to Margarine Tater Greens: 🤣 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. I just adore that because Hunter Biden got up and walked out when she started talking, all the cameras left the room. 🔥,Hunter,🔥!

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Of all the lowest of low not in the House there not to produce clickbait? The queen of clickbait? What nerve. Reporting on the goings on in the House sounds like what goes on in a kindergarten playground. Those monkeys can get away with their childish nonsense because their constituents don't bother to know that their representatives are jokers who have no interest in their welfare.

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Every accusation is a confession.

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The fish is sick of the water?

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remember that old saying about the pot and the kettle?

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

Stephen, right you are, here is an image of Greene's most common action in Congress.

Virus free google photos image below.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XVD7dfHAKqiGHBVM8

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With a white fox collar, no less.

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Ugh.

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"I'm kind of sick of chaos." Join the crowd MTG.

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Said the woman who once again showed naked pictures of Hunter Biden as an "exhibit."

It was indeed an exhibition.

Kudos to Hunter & lawyer! Talk about an "in your face" move. High point of the day

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Even the circus bear gets tired of performing for the audience.

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She must be getting pressure from her daddy’s friends back home.

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I copied that sentence as I read the letter! You beat me to it! However, it got worse...

Watching tv last night , I just happened to see a snippets of Ron/Nikki throwing accusations on each other and Ron blurted out that the huge deficit was in part of trump's tax breaks to the rich! Really? Interesting how both of them tried so hard to sound "moderate"

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You (Republicans) know you’re in deep trouble when MTG starts to sound reasonable.

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I was thinking the exact same thing… Like, WUT???

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Her use of the word “clickbait “ was amusing

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And let's stop calling these idiots "firebrands". It has a slightly favorable connotation. I wish I had a nickel for each time the local CO press referred to Lauren Boebert a "firebrand". How about "doorstop" instead?

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I really don't care anymore about breaking taboos. The "defense" budget is a crime against the American people, let alone humanity. 700 military bases in 80 countries? Damn near a trillion dollars in PEACETIME? It is a criminal conspiracy on the part of the military industrial complex Eisenhower warned us about, joined to the hip with Democrats and Republicans. In the midst of a true existential emergency that desperately needs our funding - alternative energy research to fight global warming - we are pissing our resources away to enrich god knows how many armchair corporate Daddy Warbucks.

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Watching all the destruction in Gaza and Ukraine I wonder just how many stockpiled bombs there are in the world. If only those resources could be put into making lives and the environment better.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

Cameron, "we" watched all the destruction in Iraq (where there were never any weapons of mass destruction and no ISIS either) with sanguine lack of interest and we also watched the destruction of Afghanistan although there were ZERO Afghan citizens on the planes that hit the world trade center.

"the U.S. post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and Pakistan have taken a tremendous human toll on those countries. As of September 2021, an estimated 432,093 civilians in these countries have died violent deaths as a result of the wars"

https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/civilians#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20post%2D9%2F11,a%20result%20of%20the%20wars.

You read that RIGHT. FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO THOUSAND innocent dead human bodies sponsored by US (USA) and??

Not a peep of complaint from anyone in the USA. For the most part we all just went about our daily lives like killing people for profit is normal.

After all, "Survivor" is on at 8pm so "What? Me Worry"?

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......killing people for profit is normal. Yes indeed. For the military-industrial complex killing is their well-funded business. Just think about the trillions of dollars spent during the Call War, and all the subsequent wars, and what those dollars could have been spent on that could make millions of people's lives better, not to mention the environment. For all those who think that war is good for the economy, I am here to say war is ALWAYS bad for the economy.

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And let’s not forget the almost daily killings in the us because farmers need their ak’s to shoot prairie dogs.

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But do remember tfg says HE could have negotiated the Civil War.

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Also destruction to the environment.

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True but repubs deployed their best propaganda spewers to fool the populace, some I know and love. Rupert made a fortune as did Dickie and others of that ilk. As I said, a fight for another day.

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What are you talking about? There were thousands of us not just peeping! We were out in the streets marching when Bush first started his run up to war!

We were trying to be heard even when Cheney called us traitors!

We had great hopes that Obama would end the idiocy...

In the end both Iraq and Afghanistan ended even worse than we feared.

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There were peeps of complaint.

Our march against attacking Iraq in Seattle was huge. We all had buttons with the names of Iraqi children. Bush had to pass a special law to try to shut us up.

The protests continued and arrests were common.

Just because you weren't taking part doesn't mean there weren't any protests going on.

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Mary Ellen, and partly, too, the media not covering the movement/protests in the manner they deserved to be more present on the TV in our homes. Now that I think on it, it might have had a different impact on our countrymen if the war/casualties had been covered like the images we saw (tho it took awhile as I recall) of OUR troops/allies/civilians in Vietnam—of course the draft was an added component that made it relevant to a wider swath of Americans….there was a groundswell then. I despair at all the conflicts & “man’s inhumanity to man” taking place worldwide….many places that get zero mention in the MSM. I subscribe to email updates from the Counter Extremism Project, which reports on global conflicts…I am always amazed at how many I am unaware of! https://www.counterextremism.com/

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And both sides agree to an increase in our defense budget of 28 Billion, while seeking cuts in social programs that help people and cuts to the IRS, which would have allowed for more financial resources. Yeesh. We are lost.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

But, but, but, both parties aren’t the same!

When it comes to supporting endless war…. they are exactly the same, and worthy of the accompanying critique and derision for doing so.

https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/biden-is-everything-people-feared

“The lesson of Joe Biden’s depravity is not that it would be better to have Donald Trump in the White House, it’s that it doesn’t matter which one gets in, because only murderous monsters are allowed to play that role in the management of the US-centralized empire. The globe-spanning power structure which loosely revolves around Washington is held together by nonstop violence and abuse, and nobody who isn’t willing to inflict copious amounts of violence and abuse on human beings around the world will ever make it past the gatekeeping measures that have been placed between that office and the illusion of democracy that the American people have been deceived into believing is real.

The atrocities will continue for as long as that empire exists. Humanity won’t ever have a chance at a healthy and peaceful world until that world is freed from the tyranny of a planet-dominating power structure that is fueled by human blood.”

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Tom,

I am very sad to say that, today, I mostly agree with your post although it is very strongly worded.

But, I cannot deny accurate writing.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

Mike,

We cannot fix what ails us until we can honestly, with integrity, identify what the actual problems are, and also, use the best available evidence to craft legislation to provide solutions to problems. We have to acknowledge our real history, not our mythological one.

There are two connected threads post-WWII that we must untangle if we are to thrive. The first is the ideological thought that capitalism is better than socialism. The second comes out of the first, that we are ‘better’ than Russia/China, and have to prove it via global hegemony. Ideological rigidity can be every bit a hindrance to progress as it is a benefit.

I’m sad about this as well, and angry. We are so far off the rails now, we almost need a new constitutional convention to fix things, but the corporate control of the duopoly would guarantee only partisan loyalists could attend, and the outcome would be a joke.

Portugal completely turned around their drug policy, from our draconian criminal-based war on drugs mentality to one of a patient-based rehabilitation health care model. The key was not just forming a commission of experts to study the issue and make recommendations, but getting the buy-in from all of their political parties to adopt the recommendations coming out of the commission…. with no alterations or changes, before the experts panel was empowered.

We have lost trust/faith in so many of our institutions over the past decades, from government to religion to academia to science, much of it with good reason, as the influence of money coming out of neoliberal economic theory has captured all of the aforementioned entities in its cancerous embrace.

It’s going to be a hard slog coming out of this, if we ever do. We’ll see.

Peace, t

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Tom, I agree. We are in denial of our past and present actions and policies. Until we, as a people, take the blinders off and recognize that ours is NOT a country that cares about the health, education, and safety of it's people. It's very disheartening. Money is the only currency that counts.

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"ours is NOT a country that cares about the health, education, and safety of it's people."

👆👆👆

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Hear Hear🙌

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I was surprised the Defense Department spends 87 million on Viagra a year. But, says no to free school lunches. Except in Minnesota.

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In ME, our local (tiny) school district provides breakfast and lunch for anyone that wants it. Republicans hate that concept because some children of well-to-do Democrats might get a free meal on their dime.

Nothing is worse for human development than malnourishment besides physical abuse.

As for Viagra -- perhaps the DOD could order the generic and save us some bucks. /S

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The little blue pill is funded yet I pay out of pocket $113.00 dollars for a 30 day supply of heart medication. Something is wrong with this picture. OH...let’s not talk about not covering contraceptives but we will cover erectile dysfunction!!!

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That's awesome. Governor Walz said yesterday, (when insurrection supporting Republicans said it was to expensive) kids don't need to stress out for being hungry. They learn more with full bellies. He was teacher.

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Malnourishment is physical abuse but it needs to be stated twice for its’ serious affects.

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Lisa59,

What a shock!!!!(regarding Defense Dept. spending!!!)

Thank you Minnesota for helping families and children by providing school lunches for those who are in need.

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Apparently the Defense Department needs their men to feel manly.

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That's funny! They get free Viagra and women have to pay for their contraception meds. It's a misogynistic world out there.

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Lisa, maybe we wouldn’t be so contentious as a society if they spent that money on non-gender based mood/relaxation enhancing drugs/supplements….just a thought! And a song to with it! Shiny Happy People by R.E.M.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsI2BdCmoCA

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Mifepristone next -NOT! Viagra on the chopping block!

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F'ing Men and their power, money, land, water, guns, oil, bombs, weaponized penises, and self-righteous opinions. They take no responsibility for their atrocities. Always pointing the finger while they turn around and do it again. It takes 2 to make an unwanted child. Who's the one whose life is risked or pays the price?

Ok. Not all men. Still, they are men who do these obnoxious things at the peril of the rest of us, not to mention the animals and the earth. I'm sick of it.

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Amen to that! I've been married for 41 years and my husband never had to worry about me cheating because I sure as fuck wouldn't want another one. I did men's groups for years. Little boys that never go up project their bullshit insecurities on the rest of us. Too many have a sense of entitlement over women. Power and control are like a drug. They throw thousands of rape kits in the garbage and tell us to suck it it up. Men have killed, maimed and destroyed human beings for power. And they get away it damn day. Now we have a new generation of young men that want to follow in Andrew Tate's footsteps.

I know there are good men out there. We need them to speak up and hold each other accountable. I woman was recently attacked in a public setting. There were men standing and watching, but not one would help her. I'm not holding my breath. This is a war on women and children. All over the world.

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Really?

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deletedJan 11
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I don't have issues with men getting treated for ED. I have problem with the fact it's free to them, but women pay. And yes, I was referring the GQP refusal to pay to feed kids in schools. That should be a no-brainer. I should have been more specific.

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Spot on!! Someone has to pay for their reelection. Everything would be very different if money were taken out of politics. Problem = money.

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c'mon...that's only a billion and change per base; what are you complaining about? just make a stealth move and load up on defense contractors in your 401k. We're on a permanent war-time footing and that doesn't include money heading to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan or anywhere else in the world. Some "pay" for the hardware they receive, but we, the American taxpayers are subsidizing those sales to a substantial degree in our 1040's every year.

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Just sayin'

And that doesn't include the deaths of men and women who are sons, daughters, fathers, mothers....etc, It doesn't include the broken bodies and mental struggles brought on by being involved in the violence of war. The increase in homelessness and increase in drug use brought on through our lack of care ie the war is over....pick up the pieces and move on.

The out of control yelling and crudeness displayed by two of the female Republicans is an insult to our nation. This drama was an insult to each man and woman who has put their life to stand for "freedom and the right of everyone to be treated fairly before the law.

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Some costs are frankly incalculable...the cost of a congressperson is far greater than their salary, it’s a shame we can’t rely on them to carry out their most important governmental housekeeping responsibilities and save the political theater for their own districts

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The robber barons like Rupert, Charles Koch, the Mercer family, etc. want the government NOT to function for the overall welfare of the rest of us. Stirring up a sh*tshow with people like MTG and Lauren Boebert serve the robber barons just fine

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JennSH YES, especially when that fight LOOKS like the extreme right's quest for fiscal responsibility by cutting funding for one of the clearest ways of raising government funds we have, funding for the IRS! REALLY!!

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Tax the Rich! It's their game anyway. They are the ones who should PAY for it!

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Change the f to l JS (footing to looting) ...Katy did an excellent show n tell on the actuality of funding ...they can NOT account for far. too. much.

Accountability Accountability. Accountability .

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From the latrine wall in Da Nang: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, 'cause I am the baddest m---------er in the valley." The closest description of the United States I've ever seen. We do one thing supremely well: kill people. Hell, we even one-upped the Kalashnikov with the M-16 (AR-15), our national weapon of choice.

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True but a fight for another day. If there is another day. Priorities, please

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Yes, priorities. Fighting to retain a semblance of democracy is #1. Fighting to retain a livable biosphere is 1A.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

Always a fight for another day; for those to whom the tribal wars supercede the actual ones.

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Thank you for expressing exactly how I feel. I am surprised that more folk in my generation (baby boomer) don’t express this sentiment. We spent so many years protesting the Viet Nam War, only to allow the military to gain traction year after year with bigger and bigger budgets, we have apparently lost our pacifist way. Then again the entire World seems to think the best way to avoid war is to build up military power. It’s like going on a diet and stocking the freezer with ice cream!

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Yeah, I am pretty fed up with the over glorification of the military. Desk clerks far from danger get more respect than our teachers and nurses on the front lines of a very dangerous education and health care environment. Don’t get me wrong, I admire and respect men and women who serve, but the idol worship has gone too far, and it’s part of the brainwashing of the military industrial complex to overspend and destroy accountability. We need to restore the old American attitude towards our military. It’s been replaced by the Roman model. Look where that ended.

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🎯🎯🎯

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Right on Kerry👏

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Been saying this for years, though not as well as you!

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Abso-f***ing-lutely, Kerry!!

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deletedJan 11
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Each shell in this destroyer's armory cost $800,000! This is the impunity of the military industrial complex. The Pentagon has NEVER been audited. Who the F knows where the money goes? And none of our elected officials seem to care. https://www.slashgear.com/1349354/why-us-cancelled-22-billion-dollar-stealth-ship/

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deletedJan 11
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Nowhere have I suggested disarmament, let alone complete disarmament. I'm talking about applying the same standards to military spending that the GOP likes to apply to spending on peoples' health, education, and welfare.

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Out here in California, like many states, CA has its Presidential Primary on March 5, 2024 less than 2 months away. Yesterday, my application was approved as an Elections Day Worker.

Just waiting for my training now and, I didn't even have to promise not to chew a Ginger Mint!

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Thank you Bryan. Just the sort of service we citizens can offer.

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👏👏👏 I’m a precinct “official” and we need good poll workers. Thank you for volunteering.

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lol ! Good on you Bryan !

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Thanks for this, Bryan! It matters!

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Our Professor leads us down the path of the ridiculous ending with the pot of gold that is the sublime: "And news broke today that thanks to the efforts of Biden and the Democrats, a record 20 million Americans enrolled for health care through the Affordable Care Act for this year."

Now, how to make a campaign slogan out of this Letter.

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Therein lies the real news of the day. Thanks Lynell!

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While evil distracts and destroys seeking fame and followers, angels move quietly and humbly to make a world that benefits us all.

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Thanks for emphasizing this, Lynell, and good morning.

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Evening, Ally! I went on a nap-a-thon today. I cringe at the thought that you're out "there" commenting every day on LFAA and perhaps others, and I'm missing it!

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Ha! Napathons are good. I don't comment as much on the other pages as I do this one. This one feels like home, or at least a coffee shop where my friends hang out.

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I need to get on your timeline!

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Why does Johnson need to "consult Trump to get behind the deal?" A former president? Good grief!

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

Julie,

Why indeed. Here is why....

Crawling at the feet of the rich white man is a FUNDAMENTAL part of white male culture.

Kissing the feet gets extra points.

Kissing the white man's ass? Now that is nirvana in white male culture.

Having worked in corporations for 38 years, where 100% of the managers were white males, I can tell you that kissing ass and currying favor are fundamental to white male behavior.

Johnson knows his culture and will adhere to it.

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Pass the lube. That's the GQP motto.

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😂

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Mike, wait!! One senator from my state told me that Mike Johnson is of "impeccable character."

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Pam,

That means that Mr. Johnson knows when to crawl and kiss.

Remember, in white culture, prostrating oneself, on the floor, in the presence of the rich white male is a form of worship and commends one to the status of "impeccable character".

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True.

I replied to my senators my feelings about Mike Johnson.

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PUKE

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Oh barf‼️‼️‼️

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

Mike, the more I sit with your comment, the more gobsmacked I am that I hadn't conceptualized this! This is how dimwads like Trump, Musk, Carlson get cult followers and internet warriors. Rich. White. Male.

And didn't Chris Christie just admit to this very thing yesterday?

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Why? A minor example of how powerful TFG is. Because his base is their base. Support that he can't lose regardless of absolutely anything he says of does. Which is the definition of a cult leader. Those syophants in Congress will jump hoops for TDG for they are his cultists.

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Johnson has said that he speaks to God.

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LoL I’m sure he does. If only God would speak back. Then we’d have a story.

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Chump blathers back, in word salad. They pretend to understand.

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Caught that one too did you Julie !

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Because, God, you know.

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Johnson likes being behind the deal.....

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H. Biden and his attorneys quietly and respectfully walking out (after walking in), when Mtg began to speak and the gaggle of reporters leaving and following them was priceless! Absolutely priceless! Talk about deflation. Another Biden showing success in deflation.

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Thank you Heather.

What is clear to all of your readers (and perhaps those who read, more generally) that what was once the GOP is not the Trump Crime Party. They do not want to govern. They are not out for diplomacy or compromise. They exist to burn the entire system down at any cost. They are simply continuing the work of the January 6th insurrectionists (and some of them may have actively participated before or during that day).

The system is horribly broken when there is no legal or procedural way to expel or suspend them. The train is headed for the station at high-speed, and the so-called "Freedom" caucus (or as I prefer, Treason caucus) is not allowing anyone near the brakes.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

On the contrary, the GOP has wanted to burn the system down long before Trump -- at least since Newt Gingrich, if not since Barry Goldwater, if not since the Civil War (confederates being the GOP proxy), if not since Thomas Jefferson, the hero of states rights and original chaos. It's a permanently sick party that decries non-existent election fraud (so they can defraud voters of their rights) and at the same time defunds the IRS to enable their eternal tax cheating.

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Substack doesn’t have a “love” only a like. But you are spot on and I continue to write about it.

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Thank you for that! Let us persevere!

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...now...:)

I like to refer to them as the "chaos caucus", rolls nicely off the tongue.

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Just Sayin'

The Republican Party has become a picture of what it looks like to sell one's soul for emptiness.....what a sad loss of what used to be a political party.

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And Christie's speech yesterday as he withdrew from the race was a blistering condemnation of what was once his Party. I wonder if he called Biden afterwards.

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I kinda like Klown Kar Kawkus, because it is more junior high, and my brain goes there. A lot.

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I am kinda slow on the uptake. I just realized today that conservative = regressive.

However, what have the GOP accomplished since Trump came dow the golden escalator to the applause of his planted audience? Or even, well since Teddy Roosevelt. They are very good at increasing the national debt with tax cuts for the rich and electing white faux-Christian nationalist judges. Otherwise, zilch, zero, nada.

They hate the poor and disabled as much as they hate people of color. They are only conservatives in the sense they are Fscists.

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Treason caucus works for me. And where is Kevin now, working for chump, some billionaire cretin? Doing damage as only he can…

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I think he’s now responsible for Trump’s dry cleaning. Full time.

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Hahaha, he deserves such a high level job

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HERO Of The Day: Moscowitz whipping out the 6 REPUBLICAN subpoenas from last year THAT WERE NO SJPWS! Biden for showing up! And then yanking the cameras awake by LEAVING when Margerie started to talk about computers. She lost her 30 sec. of fame! And Swalwell ... who carries our baggage. THESE MOMENTS NEED PUBLICITY.

SUPPORT THOSE ON THE ATTACK .

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"The Oversight Committee, Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) entered into the record the House subpoenas for Republicans Jordan, McCarthy, Scott Perry (R-PA), Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows, Mo Brooks (R-AL), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ). Moskowitz told the Republicans on the committee"

Along with Roger Stone (who reportedly insisted that, in order to silence Congressional investigation of Trump’s and these guys instigation of Jan 6, either Jan 6 Committee Rep Swawell or Nadler should be killed, and himself was a ringleader of and guarded by armed and ready Proud Boys at the Capitol on Jan 6), these members of Congress and "citizens” like Roger Stone, and "lawyers” like Giuliani, Eastman, Chesebro, Powell and Mitchel, were ringleaders of the concerted and conspiratorial efforts to suppress the vote of a majority of American voters by interfering with the procedural electoral count that day and all the steps leading up to it. Mo Brooks was on the ground inciting, Perry personally introduced Jeffrey Clark to Trump Chief of Staff Meadows as the Trojan Horse into the DOJ, and Jordan and Biggs were instrumental in the fake elector schemes and in persuading nearly a 140 Congressional members to vote against certification of the electoral vote. They each, cowardly and shamefully and in violation of their oaths of office, professional ethical responsibilities, and (dare I say?) duties as citizens of our Republic, rely on Trump tactics of deny, deflect and lie to evade personal responsibility. Time for the shoe to drop. this

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Remember also Stone's role in the Brooks Brothers Riot in Florida during the 2000 election vote count.

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Everything Republicans do is insurrection.

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The republicans have devolved into a clown car. Narcissism at its best, or at its worst. I find myself encouraged, in a weird way, that they may crash and burn, and discouraged that we find ourselves here as they try to destroy the entire country. A bold move by Hunter, met with childish bullying behavior. Ugh.

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just imagine...how many of them could you stuff into a VW Bug??!!

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If it was just their brains, it would fill a thimble kept in the glove box.

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"Biden walked out [of the hearing] ... and the press followed." Cool Move!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wkryWPo0Es

Beau makes a very good point here, one that I had not thought about.

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“I’m kind of sick of the chaos,” said Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a key extremist and firebrand who opposes the funding deal. “I came here to be serious about solving problems, not to produce clickbait.” And this from someone who just had to hold up nude photos of Hunter Biden, again! Hypocrisy is dead. These are not serious people.

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just look at her record in writing or sponsoring legislation..!

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I have no glue as to how enormous it is, but I feel confident that it’s not stellar!

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It can fit on a small PostIt note...

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Or even a CLUE! ☺️

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Who of us here isn't sick of the chaos?!?!?

I stupidly thought once The Sore Loser was defeated, it would end. Now, the chaos has expanded exponentially.

I wish I'd live long enough to NOT see his mug appear in the newsfeed daily, but I doubt it.

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She is a clueless cretin

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wow, I kinda thought - or even hoped - that Nancy Mace was above the level of Boebert and Greene but no, she’s right in - or down there with them ... classless and trashy.

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Jim Riley,

I too was really disturbed at Mace's comments.....

I am proudly voting for every decent pro -American Democrat I can find!!!!

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Here, here ... or is it hear here or here hear .. or even hear, hear?

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

It's "hear, hear!" as if to say "Yes! Listen to that person".

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She’s only in it for the TV appearances. Fact.

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Her Facebook page is full of nonsense, dog of the week, from Dennys to Congress, etc.

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I live in SC. We have many crosses to bear.

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So many Evangelicals there....more than Iowa.

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She is just as crass and vile as any, smart does not preclude stupid

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"Johnson asked his Republican colleagues to 'stop criticizing him and his budget negotiations on social media.' Awww. Hoping he goes down in flames, the sooner the better.

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They sure dish it out but they can't take it.

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What a sad clown show.

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One wonders what he thought was going to happen?

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You mean drown. You know he thinks he's Moses.

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What happened to the idea of going into politics to serve the people? Thank you Professor for showing what needs to be done but it’s not getting done from the far right due to their undemocratic embarrassing antics. We the people. Joe cares.

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What happened to people wanting to go into politics to serve the people? Citizens United, that’s what happened. Money, the great corrupter.

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“ The Republican-dominated U.S. House of Representatives was back in session for business today. The day’s events did not bode well for the House’s managing to accomplish more in 2024 than it did in 2023.”

Dear Heather, I’m going to say it again, but that’s their GOAL. They don’t want to accomplish ANYTHING. They just want to stall, hold up, and frustrate; they want to break down and burn down everything. Orders from Moscow: the American democracy must be destroyed.

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Putin rules the fools…

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So it is...

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Speaker Johnson! Are you having fun herding those Republican cats?

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Hey, don't degrade the good name of cats! We have 3 cats, two of whom are named after Nordic goddesses and twin sisters, while the other is not a friend of them to be sure!

That said, I think our cats are getting along better than Republicans these days!

Now if only we can flip the House!

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I agree; my cat and all the ones I've been blessed with over the years put these 'whatever they are' members of the R party to shame.

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And we also have a dog named Bear who loves to chase the cats. Getting along is complicated! I think our pet household is a microcosm of some sort, just maybe ...

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my cat has far better political instincts vis-a-vis the dog...you're familiar with the Fosberry flop, right? My Aussie just can't figure out what to do when the cat flops in front of her...

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I have a rescue Aussie. Had one for almost 16 years before him. Let’s hear it for Aussies!

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Right ! but it's a great line anyway Matt ! omg ! Colbert's writers might wanna' look at our reactions for material ! Lol !!!

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There is so much material. If I wrote my thoughts, I would be banned. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

But hey, shout out to Jasmine Crockett from Texas. She handed the Freedumb Caucus their 'white privilege' asses back to them yesterday. She is a gift to the Democrats. Fist pump in the air. She is awesome!!

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Isn’t she fabulous? She flat tells it like it is.

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She's amazing. I follow her. She makes the head and heart connection.

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Jan 11·edited Jan 11

She IS amazing, as is Moskowitz

I didn't see her yesterday, I will need to google search!

EDIT: I just went and found the clip. Awesome! I include it here for all to see:

https://news.yahoo.com/rep-crockett-t-over-rep-134719853.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

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There should be lots of vulnerable GOP freshmen Congresscritters out there. They have done absolutely nothing and we may even end up with a government shutdown.

Not to get too much down in the weeds, but I want to see Don Bacon (R-NE) gone. What an offing hypocrite -- among a sea of hypocrites.

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The other guy's job always looks easier.

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lol ! You brilliant folks are taking turns at causing me to roll on the floor !

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The House should hold their breath till they turn BLUE.

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I see what you did there!

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Good one!!

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